Another service van recomendation help

[spacemonkey]

Ok so we are looking into getting our service Van (as that is what most people seemed to agree on as a good idea) I have the option between a v6 and a v8. Now my question is does anybody here have a v6? How does it work out for you?
on a funny side note i also looked at this diesel step truck :D WOW! it used to be a mobile library and this thing is rediculous.. we could feasibly install our own machine shop in that thing and still have room for ALL of the van's spares (maybe even the van itself come to think of it!!)
chris-

[Lurch]

Or you can still get a V10

http://www.specialstage.com/forum/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=1247&forum=DCForumID14

[matt b]

What are you planning on towing?

If you are going with a gasoline powered van, get the V8 or V10.

You need torque. Diesel would be the best choice, then the V10, V8, V6, Briggs, etc.

Something like Eric is selling is a good choice. I've towed with his van, and with my father's V10 Ford. If it's within your price range, it's a very good, if not the best, option, aside from a diesel.

[MDBodnar]

Where will you be towing? Up Hill, you'll want the V8 or more everytime. (What is the load rating of the V6? Is it enough?)

How long do you plan to keep the van? Most teams end up getting larger and larger vans... What type of spares and how many wheels and tires will you carry, now and in 5 years?

In the long run your most likely going to want the bigger(est) engine you can afford. On the other hand if you have a good plan, and know what you will and won't carry, something as small as an Exlorer/Ranger/Mini-van could be enough of a tow vehicle.

I have decide a cube van modified to carry extra passengers (ala MI Brian Scott) is the right vehicle for a tow vehicle -- club effort, but I like to carry a lot of crap (and am happy with a V8 E350). I have towed with an Aerostar, Ranger, V8 E150, V10 E350, Desiel E350, and V6 F150 all will work, some better than others...

Someone once towed with a VW wagon, I think Randy Zimmerman uses a Sube Wagon...

Good Luck,
Mike

[starion887]

HI Monk,

If you live in the midwest and are only towing out to the MI events, then the V6 would be OK. If you get into any of the mountains, you will tend to wear out a smaller engine, and/or have to gear down to 2nd and go slow up the grades. The slow up-grade speed is not so bad, but the overall engine durability is a question. And then there is the trannie.....

One thing I have not seen discussed is on automatics. A 3 speed is good for reliability; a 3 speed with overdrive will save you on gas. This is the one item that will be the most prone to a disatrous failure in heavy towing, and will leave you stranded at the wrong time: Sunday AM, with you and your crew all needing to be 500 miles away to start work on Monday AM.

The less gears in the auto, the better, IMHO. The mid's 80's Chevy 4 speed with OD that came in a lot of their V8 vans are not known to be reliable for a lot of towing, for example. Auto trannies behind diesels tend to be beefier (to take the torque from the diesel's huge rotational mass at shifts, I think). So that is one thing else in favor of diesels. With the V6 you are considering, the trannie may be lighter duty, and that would be a no-no for towing. Trucks in general will have heavier trannies (not always, but mostly so), have more options like manual trannies that will not fail as often with heavy towing, so that favors the 3/4 or 1 ton trucks as service vehicles.

If you have an auto trans, be sure to put the largest cooler in it you can find, and consider putting in a towing shift kit, to limit the slippage during shifts. Change the fluid regularly and try to get a compete fluid flush.

Good luck,
Mark B.

[Lurch]

Its still for sale...